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Hands-On Activities

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

December 28, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

For the Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time book, we’re making a sun king fun medallion. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

Let’s take a trip with our mouse guide Geronimo to the Court of Versailles in 1682 CE in Back in Time, The Second Journey Through Time to meet King Louis XIV and learn about Palace of Versailles.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Did you know that King Louis XIV (that’s #14 in Roman Numeral) was known as “The Sun King”?

It was a nickname that he gave himself.

And Louis XIV chose the sun as his personal emblem.

The sun is the symbol of Apollo who is the god of peace and the arts.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

King Louis named himself such because he wanted the realm to revolve around him like the planets revolve around the sun.

Be sure to grab Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time book.

Facts about the Sun King Louis XIV 

  • Louis ruled for 72 years, he was just shy of 5 years old when it passed to him.
  • King Louis XIV died of gangrene on September 1, 1715.
  • Louis XIV built his extravagant Palace of Versailles after the civil war known as the Fronde when he had to flee from his palace in Paris at just 12 years old, He fled to the family hunting lodge 13 miles outside Paris.
  • He was very strict in his protocols at court and every moment of the day was precisely organized and planned out.
  • The king was an excellent ballet dancer.
  • He died at the age of 76 and was succeeded by his grandson King Louis XV.
  • A U.S. state is named after him. Louisiana was given its name by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier for King Louis.

Then you’ll want to add a few more hands-on activities to understand about the French.

Hands-on Ideas to Understand the French Empire

For example, look at the hands-on ideas below.

  • Free Storming the Bastille Game
  • Free Homeschool History Cards – French and Indian War
  • 15 Hands-on History Ideas for Kids Studying the French and Indian War
  • Beethoven & The French Revolution Minibook 
  • French Revolution Unit Study + Free Copywork
  • Learn About the Geography of France by Creating A Solar Oven
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower
  • 10 Interesting French Crafts And Activities For Kids
  • Facts about France Geography Worksheet

Besides, hands-on activities makes learning stick so be sure to include a few more with this book.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Too, look at more Geronimo Stilton Book crafts.

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

Next, look at these other crafts to go with the books.

  • The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft
  • Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis
  • Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
  • Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft
  • Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower
  • 10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books
  • The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar
  • Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard
  • Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
  • Down and Out Down Under Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Colosseum Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • #2: Back in Time Mayan Craft
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page

Now, let’s learn how to make this fun sun king gold medallion.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

I hope you enjoy our journey with Geronimo and also making your very own medallion.

Hot glue is a fun medium for art projects because you can use it for a lot more than just attaching two objects.

It can be put into silicone molds to create shapes that harden once it dries or used free handed like we are going to do today.

How to Make a Sun King Medallion Craft for Kids

Since your child will create their medallion freehanded I am giving you some loose instructions and tips to help them create it.

You will need:

  • Hot glue gun
  • Glue
  • Gold and black paint
  • Plastic bead chain or string
  • Silicone mat

Directions:

Gather all your supplies and don’t forget that silicone mat. It is the best material for peeling off your glue creations and is heat safe!

Your child can create any shape medallion that they would like.

Additionally, they can design their own crest to represent themselves, the family, or they can try to recreate a King Louis sun medallion like this one.

The most important thing is to build up your layers by creating a first layer and letting it cool.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Use toothpicks and craft sticks to try and add a little shaping or detail to the glue when it is partially cooled but not all the way.

But if it’s too liquidly it will just keep pooling.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Then add layer after layer until it is thick and shaped like you want it. We tried to get a general sun shape.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Once the entire thing is completely cooled and hardened, peel it off the silicone and paint it gold with craft paint.

It will probably take 2-3 coats to get good coverage.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

When it is almost dry use a paintbrush to dry brush on some black craft paint to age and patina your medallion, so it looks like an old treasured relic.

Brush off excess, you just need a bit.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Allow the paint to dry fully.

Measure a piece of chain or string to create a necklace that can be slipped on and off over your head.

Geronimo Stilton The Second Journey Through Time Sun King Fun Medallion

Flip the medallion over and hot glue the length of chain or string to finish your necklace.

What do you think?

1 CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: book lists, books, crafts, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, historyspine, homeschoolhistory, medieval homeschool history, middle ages history, world history

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

December 26, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have two fun candy cane hands-on winter experiments today. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page winter season unit study.

Candy canes are plentiful right now and did you know that they make for a tasty, easy, and inexpensive item for science experiments? 

Your kids will love tasting and exploring the world of science with these two simple hands on science experiments in honor of National Candy Cane Day on December 26. 

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

These experiments are a great way to introduce all sorts of scientific terms like hypothesis and bonds.

You can encourage them to make educated guesses (hypothesis) document results, make observations, and learn about how experiments work in general.

Don’t forget to save some to munch on while you learn about them.

Cool Candy Cane Facts

  • They were first made in 1670 but didn’t make their way to American until 1847.
  • Candy canes were once white, no one is sure when the red stripe was added but looking at images prior 1900, they were always white.
  • The world’s largest candy cane was 63 feet tall and was created in 2011.
  • Candy canes have no fat or cholesterol.
  • Two billion candy canes are made each year.
  • The hooks were created by hand until 1921 when a machine was invented to do it.
  • The original candy cane flavor was originally used as a medicine for indigestion and nausea and then the oil was also used to help cover up the flavor of more unpleasant medicinal concoctions.

Furthermore, add some other hands-on candy cane activities.

Candy Cane Hands-on Activities

  • Before you begin investigating watch How Candy Canes Are Made on YouTube.
  • Here is another fun experiment you can do with candy canes Fizzing Candy Canes.
  • Make some Candy Cane Paint to add some art.
  • Use candy canes as counters and manipulatives for math, measure the length, grab various sizes and let your younger child arrange them in size order.

More Winter Unit Study Resources

Look at these other winter unit study resources.

  • Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity
  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities
  • Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Easy and Fun Pinecone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders
  • 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities
  • How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

Now, let’s have some candy cane fun.

For these two winter science activities, you’ll want to grab the supplies below.

Two Candy Cane Science Activities

Here are all the supplies you will need to gather so that you can complete both experiments:

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments
  • Mini Candy Canes
  • Clear bowls or cups
  • 3-5 liquids-water, sprite, milk, vinegar, etc
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • paper/pen

Now, let’s make this first one which is bending candy canes.

1. Bending Candy Canes Science Activity

For the first experiment we are first going to let your child attempt to bend a candy cane fresh out of the package, it just breaks right? Ask them why they think that is? How were candy makers able to bend it in the first place?

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Spread out several candy canes on parchment lined sheet.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Bake for 7-10 minutes. Start checking at 7 minutes because you want to pull them out before they begin to distort and melt.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Immediately remove parchment paper from pan and place on a flat surface away from the hot pan.

Your child can immediately pick them up and begin bending them into shapes.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You can make letters, shapes like hearts or knots, or even a cute little candy can make like this one.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

You’re just a couple of minutes the candy cane will harden again into its new shape.

You can repeat the process in the oven with candy canes after they’ve hardened or with fresh ones to continue experimenting with what you can do.

2. Melting Candy Canes

Now we are going to test and see which liquid melts candy canes the fastest.

So, you will want to check this one often. We put ours in the bowls and forgot for about 45 minutes and came back to this.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

First, choose your liquids, I would suggest no less than 3 to get a good reading and probably not more than 6 to keep it manageable.

Whatever number you choose to test, place that many clear bowls or cups on a surface where they will not be disturbed. Add a mini candy cane to each.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Measure exact amounts of each of the liquids and pour over the candy cane.

This is a good time to explain that when conduction an experiment like this you want to keep everything the same except for the one variable that you are testing, in this case the type of liquid.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Write each of the liquids onto a small slip of paper and place it in front of each container to keep track.

Check after 5 minutes to see how much they have dissolved; these ones were noticeably smaller.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

After the first 5 minutes you want to change to every minute or two because it seems to go so much faster after that.

At less than the 10-minute mark we had a clear winner when we came back, and the vinegar had completely dissolved it.

Two Fun Candy Cane Hands-on Science Winter Experiments

Be sure to have your child record their guesses (hypothesis), then list the types of liquids (variables), and finally their results.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolinginwinter, homeschoolscience, middle school, middleschool, physical science, science, sciencecurriculum, winter crafts, winter season

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

December 25, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This easy cardinal birds in winter watercolor is a cute project. Be sure you grab more ideas for winter fun on my page winter season unit study.

And the watercolor painting of the cardinal birds in winter and fun birch trees makes a fun display to bring a pop of color.

In addition, you can create it as an art piece on its own or use it as part of a unit on winter birds or winter in general.

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

I have some great resources that will help you get started on your unit study.

Too, we are using two different kinds of paint on this cardinal project which are watercolor and acrylic

Also, you’ll learn a new technique to create a unique look to the bark of the birch trees.

But first look at these cardinal bird resources.

Cardinal Bird Hands-on Ideas

  • Do the Hands-On Nature Study: Bird Color Bar Graphing Activity.
  • Work on this Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study.
  • Make a yarn wrapped cardinal art project.
  • Try out my How to Make a Fun Paper Mache American Robin Bird Craft but make it a cardinal.
  • While you learn about these colorful winter birds you can help feed them with this Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders.
  •  Cardinal Fun Fact Coloring Page.
  • Track how many cardinals visit your yard each day for a week, how many are male? How many are female?
  • YouTube, listen to the cardinals song with this video.

Next, add some fun books and resources about cardinals.

12 Northern Cardinal Bird Books and Resources For Children

Add a book or two to your unit study or to your learning day. Cardinals are fun to study anytime of the year.

Image for Wild Bird Guide: Northern Cardinal

Wild Bird Guide: Northern Cardinal

Packed with information, the writing is clear and direct and accessible to bird watchers at every level.

Image for Backyard Birding for Kids

Backyard Birding for Kids

With bird facts, an identification guide, and how-to instructions, this is a perfect children’s introduction to bird-watching.

Image for Albert

Albert

The morning begins like any other. Albert reaches out the window to check the weather. But from the moment a twig lands in the palm of his hand, life is never the same

Image for Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

One of my go tos for nature study.

Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more.

Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the

Image for Toy Bird Figures Kids

Toy Bird Figures Kids

Because children's thinking is more visualized, the intuitive demonstration of the model can better help children construct in the brain. This birds playset can help children get a more direct understanding of real birds world and stimulate their interest in exploring nature.

Image for Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves

Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves

One autumn evening, Little Redbird settled down for one last sleep before flying south for winter. As he slept, a strong gust of wind shook him from his cozy nest . . .

. . . Little Redbird hurts his wing and misses his chance to fly south for the winter. As he searches for a new home amongst the trees, he begins to realize that not all trees are fit for the winter cold. As more and more trees refuse him shelter, too preoccupied with their preparations for the frost, Little Redbird fears the worst. That is, until he comes across a friendly bunch of evergreens.

In the spirit of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince, Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves is a timeless story of kindness and why the fir, spruce, and juniper trees are evergreen all winter long. 

Image for Backyard Birding Flashcards: 100 Common Birds

Backyard Birding Flashcards: 100 Common Birds

The Sibley Field Guide to Birds is now transformed into 100 easy-to-reference cards housed in one handsome pull-drawer gift box. Divided into one stack of 50 common Western and Eastern North American birds, and one stack of 50 common birds found across North America, each card features precise illustrations and text concerning habitat, behavior, and voice description necessary for easy identification.

Image for Attracting & Feeding Cardinals

Attracting & Feeding Cardinals

The vibrant red of the male Northern Cardinal is stunning any time of year—and nothing is more beautiful than the early spring duets of cardinals singing their hearts out. You love these beloved birds, and you want to see them visiting your backyard or garden. Professional naturalist and award-winning author Stan Tekiela teaches you all that you need to know about cardinals.

Image for Cardinals (Backyard Bird Feeding Guides)

Cardinals (Backyard Bird Feeding Guides)

The vibrant red of the male Northern Cardinal is stunning any time of year. And nothing is more beautiful than the early spring duets of cardinals singing their hearts out.

Image for Authentic Bird Sounds, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Chickadee

Authentic Bird Sounds, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Chickadee

Kids and adults of all ages love these birds, and are captivated by their sounds. They also make great baby toys, and sensory toys for kids any age.

Includes 3 Realistically designed bird toys that produce authentic bird calls from the Cornell lab of ornithology archives of bird recordings.

Image for The Burgess Bird Book for Children

The Burgess Bird Book for Children

The Burgess Bird Book for Children (1919) is a classic nature book by Thornton Burgess, who introduces young listeners to the subject of bird life by means of a series of interviews within a story. Peter Rabbit and Jenny Wren interview Slaty the Junco, Redwing the Blackbird, Melody the Wood Thrush, Spooky the Screech Owl, and many other common birds to learn about their appearance, their eating, mating and nesting habits, and their songs and calls. The text remains popular as an exceptional combination of information and entertainment.

Image for Cardinals (Backyard Birds)

Cardinals (Backyard Birds)

Whos that singing in the backyard? Its a cardinal! Find out where cardinals live, what they eat, and how to identify the birds and their eggs.

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

Furthermore, here are some cardinal facts.

Cardinal Facts

  • Northern Cardinals are mostly non migratory and stay in their habitat year round.
  • Their lifespan is about 3 years and the oldest recorded lived to be almost 16 years.
  • Cardinals are usually the first to visit backyard feeders in the morning and the last to visit at night.
  • Both male and female cardinals can sing unlike most other species of songbird. Male cardinals might sing up to 200 songs in just an hour.
  • Male cardinals are the bright red ones you see, females are a dull brown with just a bit of red on tail and wingtips.
  • Northern Cardinals are protected by the Migratory Bird Act, which means you can’t have one as a pet and it is illegal to kill them.
  • They get their red feathers from carotenoids in their food.
Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

In addition, look at some more winters unit study ideas.

More Winter Unit Study Resources

Look at these other winter unit study resources.

  • Cute and Simple Snowman Story Stones Winter Art Activities
  • Winter Craft Ideas How to Make Fun Pinecone Flowers
  • How to Make an Adorable Toilet Roll Snowman for Winter Crafts
  • Easy and Fun Pinecone Snowy Owl Winter Craft for Kindergarten
  • Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
  • Easy Hands on Snowflake Winter Craft for Kids Who Don’t Have Snow
  • Winter Nature Craft: How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders
  • 3 Fun Cocoa Winter Hands on Science Activities
  • How to Make an Easy Build a Snowman Kid’s Game (free printable cube)

Now, grab your art supplies and make this fun winter art project.

How to Make Cardinal Birds in Winter Watercolor

First, you will need:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Watercolors
  • Paintbrushes
  • Black acrylic paint
  • An old credit card
Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

Next, here are the direction.

Use a watered down black or gray with a small paintbrush to outline a few general tree shapes and branches.

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

On as many branches as you would like, paint a red tear drop shape for your cardinals and add a little wedge at the base for a tail.

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

Fill in the blank spaces between the trees with various shades of blue; you don’t have to make it solid, whitespace looks great in watercolors.

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

Put a little black paint on a paper plate and tap the edge of a credit card into it, wipe off a little bit of excess.

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

Start on one side of the tree outline and set the edge of the card and then drag the card across the tree stopping halfway across.

This will give your bark the look of a birch tree. You can do this as much as you like up and down the tree.

Allow the black paint to dry fully.

Cardinal Birds in Winter and Birch Trees Easy Watercolor Kids Activity

Once paint is dry go back and add a little bit of black to the center of the bird’s face, black feet, and a bit of yellow for a beak.

When everything is dry your cardinals are ready to be displayed in a frame or as is.

What do you think? Ready to try this for a fun homeschool art, science, and hands-on lesson?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: cardinal bird, crafts, homeschoolinginwinter, watercolor, winter crafts, winter season

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

December 23, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing some Daniel Boone activities and we’re making delicious Johnny cakes. You’ll love my unit study and other ideas on my page Daniel Boone – North American Explorer.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live like early settlers and explorers?

What about when Daniel Boone was forging the Wilderness Trail through the forest from the mountains of Eastern Tennessee to the Kentucky River which is about two hundred miles? 

This legendary man led a group to create the first path that would lead to exploration of the west from his part of the country.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

If you want to explore one of the most famous trailblazers of the time, here are some fantastic resources for learning about Daniel Boone.

And I am sharing a simple and tasty recipe for Johnny Cakes to give you a taste of what the man who became a folk legend would have enjoyed.

Activities for Learning about Daniel Boone

  • Amazing Daniel Boone Explorer Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study.
  • Daniel Boone Exploration DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas.
  • Daniel Boone Classroom Activity Guide.
  • Survey the country with Daniel Boone.
  • Daniel Boone North American Explorer.
  •  Watch Daniel Boone The Series (from 1964) on YouTube. Or The Adventures of Daniel Boone on Amazon Prime.

Then, here are some fun books.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

The books are for multiple ages.

Books About Daniel Boone

10 Resources for A Daniel Boone Unit Study

Whether you want to add a hands-on unit study or are looking for a few resources, you'll love one of these.

Image for 1. Daniel Boone: The Life and Legend of an American Pioneer

1. Daniel Boone: The Life and Legend of an American Pioneer

Struggle against the Shawnee defenders of Kentucky. Drawing from popular narrative, public record, documentation from Boone's own hand, and recollection gathered by 19th-century antiquarians, the author employs the methods of the new social history to produce a portrait that defines Daniel Boone and the times he helped shape.

Image for 2. Who Was Daniel Boone? (Who Was?)

2. Who Was Daniel Boone? (Who Was?)

Called the "Great Pathfinder", Daniel Boone is most famous for opening up the West to settlers through Kentucky. A symbol of America's pioneering spirit Boone was a skilled outdoorsman and an avid reader although he never attended school. Sydelle Kramer skillfully recounts Boone's many adventures such as the day he rescued his own daughter from kidnappers.

Image for 3. The Dangerous Book for Boys

3. The Dangerous Book for Boys

The bestselling book—more than 1.5 million copies sold—for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is—now a Prime Original Series created by Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Greg Mottola (Superbad).

In this digital age, there is still a place for knots, skimming stones and stories of incredible courage. This book recaptures Sunday afternoons, stimulates curiosity, and makes for great father-son activities. The brothers Conn and Hal have put together a wonderful collection of all things that make being young or young at heart fun—building go-carts and electromagnets, identifying insects and spiders, and flying the world's best paper airplanes.

Image for 4. Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

4. Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.All ages

Image for 5. Daniel Boone: Frontiersman (Heroes of History)

5. Daniel Boone: Frontiersman (Heroes of History)

Written for readers age 10 and up -- enjoyed by adults!In search of open spaces and land to call his own, Daniel Boone fearlessly led a band of brave settlers into the bountiful Kentucky wilderness. Daniel's expert hunting ability, incredible outdoor survival skills, and courage under fire helped his companions stay alive in a dangerous and unknown land despite threatening encounters with soldiers, Indians, and even other settlers.

Image for 6. History Pockets: Explorers of North America, Grades 4-6+

6. History Pockets: Explorers of North America, Grades 4-6+

The book includes the following pockets:

  • Introduction to Explorers of North America
  • Christopher Columbus
  • John Cabot
  • Hernando Cortes
  • Jacques Cartier
  • Sir Francis Drake
  • Henry Hudson
  • Daniel Boone
  • James Cook
  • Lewis and Clark
  • John Wesley Powell
Image for 7. Daniel Boone: Trailblazer

7. Daniel Boone: Trailblazer

Born in Pennsylvania in 1734, Daniel Boone cut a path west, carving his name into trees. Although he endured repeated property losses, he became a household name and was greatly admired for his surveying skills and the many claims he laid, opening the west for further settlement.

Image for 8. Survive & Thrive: A Pocket Guide To Wilderness Safety Skills, Plus 16 Quick-Check Skill Cards

8. Survive & Thrive: A Pocket Guide To Wilderness Safety Skills, Plus 16 Quick-Check Skill Cards

Gear up for outdoor adventure, learn to stay alive, and help yourself thrive – feeling confident that you can handle whatever comes your way!

Accidents happen and nature can be unpredictable, which is why this ultra-portable survival kit is a must-have for casual nature explorers and slightly more adventurous campers in need of essential outdoor guidance that they can carry along with them.

Image for 9. Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

9. Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

Titles In This Set:The Blizzard ChallengeThe Desert ChallengeThe Jungle ChallengeThe Sea ChallengeThe River ChallengeThe Earthquake ChallengeThe Volcano ChallengeThe Safari ChallengeThe Cave ChallengeThe Mountain ChallengeThe Arctic ChallengeThe Sailing Challenge

Image for 10. Daniel Boone: Young Hunter and Tracker (Childhood of Famous Americans)

10. Daniel Boone: Young Hunter and Tracker (Childhood of Famous Americans)

A general account of the life of the prominent American frontiersman who is especially remembered for helping to settle Kentucky

Also, look at some of these fun facts about the time during the life of Daniel Boone.

What was Life Like During Daniel Boone’s Life

Also, you’ll love these fun tidbits about life during Daniel Boone’s life.

Too, it’s fascinating to learn about is the foods that were eaten by the men and women who explored and pushed westward.

A food that was popular were Johnny Cakes.

And they are thin, fried cakes made of cornmeal. They were eaten sweet or as a savory dish.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Further, they were created by early Native American, specifically believed to have been called

“Shawnee Cakes” by the Pawtuxet Indians and mispronounced by settlers as Johnny cakes.

Johnny cakes are known as: Johnny bread, hoe cakes, journey cakes, and Jonakin depending on the region of the country they are from. Shawnee cake was a favorite diet among Shawnee Indians.

Additionally, Daniel Boone was captured by the Shawnee.

He led a rescue attempt to retrieve his daughter and two other girls who had been captured by them.

They admired his bravery so much they made him one of them. After being captive from February 1778 to June 1778, he escaped.

About Corn

Moreover, Johnny Cakes were cooked and eaten hot right at the fire and they made excellent traveling food as it carried well.

Originally, the cake was made of maize which was ground into a very fine meal.

The resulting corn meal was then mixed with water and baked on a flat stone that had been heated in a fire.

Corn is one of America’s oldest foods, used by Native Americans in bread, cakes, and porridge.

It became a very popular staple with settlers and explorers as well because it was much easier to grow, grind, and less expensive than wheat and rye seed.

Without a mill to grind corn into flour it was often ground with a mortar or in earliest times with a hollowed stone, then sifted through finely woven basket.

Now, we can skip the extra work and pick it up already ground from the store to make this Daniel Boone inspired treat to get a taste of what he would have eaten.

How to Make Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes

Before I get started, I admit this is our favorite Johnny Cakes recipe.

It’s really good. Start your unit study by making these for breakfast.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cups ground cornmeal (white or yellow)
  • 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Oil for frying
Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

First, combine cornmeal, sugar, and salt in a bowl and combine well.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Bring water to a boil and slowly stir in cornmeal mixture. Whisk quickly until well combined.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Remove from heat and stir until smooth and creamy.

Allow cornmeal batter to rest for 10 minutes. Stir in butter.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Add oil to a nonstick or cast-iron pan and heat over medium low.

Drop batter by heaping spoonful or form patties by hand and place in a hot pan.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Fry for 8-10 minutes.

The waiting part is hard but if you mess with them too much while they cook you will find that they fall apart. 

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Just pick up the edge gently and check to see that the edges are golden brown, it will look like this when perfectly browned.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Flip and cook for about 5-6 minutes on the opposite side.

You can eat your Johnny cakes as is or top with syrup. Delicious!

What do you think? Are you including this in your unit study?

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: american history, early American history, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschool, homeschoolhistory, recipes

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

December 20, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition) is our book for adventure today. And we’re doing a knights armor engraving craft. Be sure to grab more Geronimo Stilton Books ideas and crafts on my page.

Was King Arthur real? Most historians believe he was just a fictional character from folklore and legend.

But that doesn’t stop him from being a very fascinating part of the Medieval period.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

With dashing and chivalrous knights, Camelot, jousting, castles, and kings is it any wonder that our favorite time traveling mouse zoomed right into the Middle Ages among the likes of King Arthur and Excalibur.

We are visiting this time period through Geronimo Stilton’s The Journey Through Time, the first book in the Journey Through Time series.

And Geronimo Stilton also makes stops in prehistory with the dinosaurs and in Ancient Egypt.

About The Journey Through Time Book (Geronimo Stilton Special Edition)

The story is fun and captivating but as always, the author weaves so much amazing information into it.

Readers learn fantastic vocabulary from the period, medieval fashion, castle architecture, and the feudal system.

Too, they will even be reading an excerpt from an Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem.

Just because these books are colorful and whimsical it’s no reason to discount the quality they add to your child’s reading time.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

In addition, Safari Ltd Toobs have a fantastic knights and dragons set that make for a great addition to a study or to this book.

They can be used to set the mood for introducing a new unit theme, in sensory bins, dioramas, or even as pawns in place of standard board game pieces.

Additionally, we learned that knights had a code of chivalry to be followed.

The Knight’s Code of Chivalry was a system of morals.

Further, the code declared all knights should protect others who could not protect themselves like widows, children, and the elderly.

Facts About Knights and The Knight’s Code of Chivalry

  • The word “knight” comes from an Old English word meaning “servant”.
  • Knights were sworn to uphold their duty to God, to the church, and to their liege lord.
  • Earlier anyone who proved themselves brave and honorable in battle could be awarded knighthood by the king but later it was decided they had to descend from nobility.
  • Young boys could begin their knight training at just 7 years old. They were sent away to live and train and were called pages.
  • At 13 years old, they could become a squire as they continued their education and training.
  • They were finally able to be dubbed a knight at 21.
  • William Marshal was one of England’s greatest knights and was considered the greatest tournament knight of his time.
  • Women could be knights as well. For example, the Order of the Hatchet (Orden de la Hacha) in Catalonia was a military order of knighthood for women.
  • A knight would be punished with public humiliation for breaking the code.
  • Knights armor weighed between 45 and 55 lbs.
The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Geronimo Stilton Book Activities

Next, look at these other crafts to go with the books.

  • Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Time Warp Fun Lost City of Atlantis
  • Race Against Time Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
  • Out Of Time Fun Sir Francis Drake Ship Craft
  • Stilton Journey Through Time Series Fifth Journey Fun Eiffel Tower
  • 10 Things to Learn From The Fun Geronimo Stilton Chapter Books
  • The Fourth Journey Through Time Fun Cleopatra Collar
  • Learn About Mozart The Eight Journey Through Time Geronimo Stilton Series
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Geronimo Stilton Journey Through Time Craft a Fun England Tower Guard
  • Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
  • Down and Out Down Under Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time Colosseum Craft
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • #2: Back in Time Mayan Craft
  • The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page

In honor of King Arthur and his wonderful Knights of the Round Table we are creating a Medieval Knight in a full suit of armor.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

This method is a simpler version of the intricate metal engraving that was done on jewelry, metal plates and more by goldsmiths of the Middle Ages.

How to Make a Knights Armor Engraving

You will need:

  • A cardboard piece
  • Aluminum foil
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
  • Black craft paint
  • Paper towel
  • Toothpick tape
  • Pencil/pen

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Start by sketching out a simple knight in armor shape on your cardboard.

After you are satisfied with it in pencil you can go back over it with a pen to make it easier to see.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Trace over the lines with hot glue.

Be sure that you make the lines thick enough that they will leave an impression in the foil.

You don’t have to add a lot of detail at this point, just the general shape is enough.

Allow to cool and harden.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Once the glue is hardened, cover your cardboard in foil and wrap around the back. Tape into place.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Carefully, run your fingers over the raised surface to press the foil into it.

You will want to go back and forth over it several times.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Once your outline is fully showing through the foil take a toothpick and gently scratch in a few details to give your knight more interest.

Squirt a little black paint right onto your completed design.

Spread it gently with a paper towel and let it sit for a couple minutes and wipe it off.

The black should stay inside the indentions and create some dimension making the design stand out a bit and age it a bit.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Allow the paint to dry and your knight engraving is ready to go on display.

You can use the same technique to write your name, engrave a castle design, or anything else you like.

The Journey Through Time Book And Knights Armor Engraving Fun Kids Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: book lists, books, crafts, Geronimo Stilton, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschoolhistory, literature, medieval homeschool history, middle ages history

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